New Rotary President Unveils N22.8m Humanitarian Agenda

Newly installed president of the Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside, Rotarian Vincent Ojonugwa Ojomah, has unveiled a N22.8 million humanitarian programme for the 2026/2027 Rotary year.

He pledged to deliver sustainable projects that will transform lives across communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During his installation as the club’s 14th president, Ojomah said his administration would be guided by the Rotary International theme, “Create Lasting Impact,” with interventions spanning maternal and child health, education, economic empowerment, disease prevention, peacebuilding, environmental sustainability and youth development.

He described his inauguration as a solemn call to service, noting that the office of president carried enormous responsibility.

“This collar is heavy, not because of the metal, but because of the meaning. It represents trust. It represents service. And for 2026–2027, it represents one charge from Rotary International: Create Lasting Impact,” he said.

Tracing his three-decade journey through Rotary, from Interact to Rotaract and eventually Rotary, Ojomah said the organisation had shaped his values and leadership philosophy.

“Every club meeting, every project and every handshake over three decades taught me one truth: Service above self is not a season; it is a life,” he added.

The new president described the current Rotary year as historic for Nigeria following the emergence of Rotarian Olayinka Babalola as Rotary International President for 2026/2027, making Nigeria the only African nation to have produced two Rotary International presidents after the late Jonathan Majiyagbe.

He pledged the club’s unwavering support for District Governor Rotarian Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko and his strategic priorities of membership growth, Rotary Foundation support, public image enhancement and discipline.

Ojomah said his administration would focus on projects capable of producing measurable and enduring results rather than short-term interventions.

“This year, we will be intentional. Our service will touch lives across all seven areas of focus. We will choose depth over spread, partner wisely and execute projects designed to last beyond our banners,” he said.

According to him, the club will launch healthcare interventions for indigent mothers, educational support for vulnerable children, youth leadership programmes, vocational empowerment initiatives for widows and persons with disabilities, disease prevention campaigns, prison outreach, environmental sanitation and tree planting programmes, among other humanitarian activities.

He also announced plans to strengthen membership through the “Each One, Bring One” campaign while urging members to increase support for the Rotary Foundation through the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) initiative.

Calling on Rotarians to embrace collective responsibility, Ojomah said the success of the new Rotary year depended on the commitment of every member.

“To my board, you are my co-pilots. Hold me accountable. To every Rotarian here, this club belongs to you. Show up. Speak up. Serve,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Executive Director of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Abuja, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni who was represented by Past District Governor Ayoola Oyedekun urged Rotarians to focus on building legacies that would outlive them.

Speaking on the theme, “Creating Lasting Impact,” Fr. Sanni observed that genuine impact is not measured by popularity or fleeting recognition but by consistent actions that transform lives over time.

“In a world that moves at breakneck speed, where trends fade in hours and attention spans are measured in seconds, how do we build something that endures?” he asked.

He described lasting impact as “the quiet, steady transformation that ripples outward across time,” urging participants to invest in institutions, relationships and values that strengthen communities for future generations.

The cleric noted that enduring change requires patience, resilience and collaboration, warning against the temptation of pursuing short-term achievements at the expense of lasting development.

“In conclusion, I invite each of you to reflect: What will be your lasting contribution? Let us commit to living with intention. Let us build institutions and relationships that outlast us,” he said.

Earlier, chairman of the Installation Committee, Past President Olayinka A. Aduloju, described the ceremony as more than the installation of a new club president, saying it marked a renewed commitment to Rotary’s ideals of service and fellowship.

She thanked members of the installation committee for their dedication and paid tribute to the outgoing president, Carol Morah, for her leadership during the past Rotary year.

Aduloju said the achievements recorded by the club had been made possible through teamwork and the unwavering commitment of past presidents and members.

Welcoming Ojomah to office, she urged Rotarians to rally behind the new leadership.

“The work ahead is not the President’s alone; it is ours. Every meeting we attend, every project we support and every life we touch will shape the story of this Rotary year,” she said.

She expressed confidence that Ojomah’s leadership would inspire members to deepen their commitment to humanitarian service and strengthen the club’s impact on communities across the Federal Capital Territory.

The installation ceremony attracted district leaders, past district governors, assistant governors, past presidents, Rotarians, Rotaractors, partners and other guests who reaffirmed their commitment to Rotary’s mission of service above self.